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[Thrax]

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Eye had finally made contact with Cear Dalben and requested they meet. The place chosen was the crypt northeast of Umbra. After the usual greetings and introductions, they got down to business. Eye explained his need for a spell of unbinding and promised a boon from his god should Cear aid him. In addition, he gave him a rune to the temple of Oggaroth.

"Can you trust this god?" Cear asked him.

Eye shook his head. "No. I do not trust him. I only serve him to seek a reward from him," he replied.

Cear appeared satisfied with the answer.

They spoke a while longer, exchanging thoughts, ideas, and plans, then together they journeyed to a location of which he demanded utmost secrecy of Eye.

"Your secret is safe with me," he told him as they entered a dark and imposing edifice wherein Cear had said was the Cabal's immense library.

Climbing several flights of stone stairs they arrived at a curtained doorway. Cear pushed the curtains back and Eye could see row upon row of shelves filled with books. "Excellent!" Eye commented. "Surely we can find it here."

They began their search at once. Eye found himself enthralled at the various stories and tales of long ago. Many of the works were quite ancient and spoke of people, places, heroes and monsters long since gone. "Keep to your task!" the voice of Oggaroth spoke to him. "There is no time for your personal amusement. A great task lies ahead!" he reminded him.

Suddenly Eye's attention was diverted to a man standing to his right in the narrow corridor between the bookshelves. Eye offered a greeting to him, giving his name. About that time, Cear appeared, book in hand, declaring he had found what they sought. He handed the book to Eye, who started to read it immediately.

"Who is this intruder?" the man asked Cear.

The two began discussing not only who Eye was, but also whether he could be trusted to keep their secret. Eye watched the man closely, noting that he seemed both wary and suspicious. Content with Cear's approval of Eye, the man became more relaxed, though still cautious.

Eye found a passage in the book that spoke directly of "gods and goddesses of old" whose names were invoked to empower the spell of unbinding. He showed it to Cear, "You see, there were believers long ago," he declared. Eye had forever argued with many that his god, among others, was not only real but had a hand in the creation of all things on the prime material plane.

"That work is very ancient," Cear remarked.

Eye gave the book back to Cear. "Do what you must to make it work," he declared. "I know my god will grant you a boon in return."

"A boon?" the man asked.

Eye looked at him. "Yes. A favor given is a favor returned," he replied. He again vowed to keep their secret and also not to come to the place unescorted and unbidden by either of them. "Walk in darkness," he told them, as he cast the spell of Recall to return to the temple.

Oggaroth spoke to him later about the meeting. "I like them. They are pure of heart."

"What do you mean?"

"Unmixed. Their eyes are wholly focused on their desires and plans. From such entire worlds are conquered and enslaved and destroyed. Cear shall succeed."

"May it be so, master."

"Prepare yourself," Oggaroth warned him, changing the subject. "Difficult, nigh impossible, tasks lie ahead for you. Much blood shall be spilt to effect my escape. Some of it will be yours."

Eye was not afraid. Death was a constant companion. He viewed it as merely as a slight inconvenience that would not last indefinitely. "Whatever must be done, shall be done."

Oggaroth was pleased with his answer.